Was able to travel to different places like Governors Island and Staten Island
What I wish was different
I wish it was a permanent job
Advice
One piece of advice I would share with this experience is you meet new people that you can bond with.
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SCA woman’s fire crew
May - August 2023 • Healy, AK
What I liked
Good work environment, lots of learning
What I wish was different
Pay should be better for skilled, hard work. 250/week stipend is not enough
Advice
Get your experience and get out
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Biology intern
May - August 2023 • Ajo, AZ
What I liked
I liked how I got a chance to visit Arizona and learn new things.
What I wish was different
I wish I got to meet even more people and go out more.
Advice
If given a chance to do what you love, take it no matter what and test the waters.
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Sequoia National Forest Backcountry Trail Corps
June - August 2022 • Springville, CA
What I liked
I loved the ability to volunteer on a Trail Corps for the summer in a new location, on the West Coast! Having a hard working summer position brought me a totally new experience compared to my daily life at College. Plus, living in Sequoia National Forest and National Park for two months was so amazing! Working with staff at the park, interacting with visitors, and doing rewarding conservation work on unmaintained trails was a dream come true!
What I wish was different
Honestly, I wouldn't wish to change anything about my experience this summer in California! The staff was welcoming and friendly, having a place to stay on off days, and traveling along Central California was awesome.
Advice
Look beyond your go-to job searching site, because I went looking for Conservation positions on my own and happened to find The SCA, who I had never heard of until a Google search. They had positions available for all levels of experience, and locations all across the United States!
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Wilderness Ranger
May - August 2021 • Wellston, MI
What I liked
I loved being able to work outside, help others, and protect the land all at the same time! This job was physically challenging and full of interesting interactions with the public. One of the best parts however was the people I worked with. Interning with the Forest Service I was surrounded by really cool down-to-earth people who all cared about people and the environment as much has I did.
What I wish was different
I wish that SCA internships paid more than our bi-weekly stipend.
Advice
Ask lots of questions and ask to learn as much as you can. There are so many moving parts in the Forest Service, and any amount of experience in those aspects can help you figure out what you most want to do in the future.
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Education and Outreach Intern
May - August 2021 • Copper Center, AK
What I liked
The location.
What I wish was different
There was a lot of filler work.
Advice
If you want to work for the Park Service, this is a good way to get a foot in the door.
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Assistant Crew Leader
July - August 2020 • Washington, DC
What I liked
All the appropriate safety precautions had been taken for Covid 19. In addition to the physical work, there were many opportunities to just look around at nature.
What I wish was different
At one point we started working on a site we hadn't expected to work on, and I would have preferred to stay at one location the whole time.
Advice
Drink lots of water, DC in the summer is insanely hot and humid, especially when you're doing lots of manual labor.
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Crew
July - August 2019 • Chicago, IL
What I liked
Everyone is supportive and hard working
What I wish was different
Advice
Be yourself and work hard!
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Estuary Habitats Educator
January - November 2019 • Hyde Park, NY
What I liked
Experience gained and people I met through working in the environmental field.
What I wish was different
Better pay, but that's just how it goes.
Advice
Talk to everyone and learn as much as you can.
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Crew member
June - August 2019 • Maryland Line, MD
What I liked
Working outside, meeting awesome people, good pay, awesome experience
What I wish was different
It was a full time job that started at 6 am every day, I wish it started later morning
Advice
When it gets tiring and you don’t want to go anymore, remember why you’re working, why you wanted to do this, what you looked forward to the most
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Trail Maintenance crew member
July - August 2019 • Washington, DC
What I liked
I originally was interested in the program because I find the results of physical labor incredibly satisfying, but by the end of it all I had gotten even more out of it all than what I'd initially expected. My social skills had increased exponentially and my leadership and teamwork abilities similarly improved. I got a lot out of the program and it helped mentally prepare me for college.
What I wish was different
I wish the weather had been NOT humid all the time, but it's DC in July so that might be a bit much to ask. I also wish the commute was shorter.
Advice
Invest in more than one pair of work pants! And learn to recognize poison ivy.
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assistant crew leader
June - August 2019 • Chicago, IL
What I liked
The job was enjoyable and very educational, with many opportunities to meet and become friends with like-minded people
What I wish was different
I wish I had separated my work and home life a little more.
Advice
I would highly recommend trying work with the SCA if you are passionate about the environment!
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Art and Nature Intern
May - August 2019 • Yosemite National Park, CA
What I liked
I loved the team of rangers and employees that I had the chance to work with and learn from, as well as the atmosphere of patience, teamwork, and support that was enhanced by every person working in the park. Not to mention the beautiful scenery and wildlife that roamed around the valley!
What I wish was different
I wish my internship had had more focus and guidance. It's easy to get lost in the sea of faces in such a large park like Yosemite, and as a result, I felt that I sometimes didn't get the attention or help I needed as a first-time intern.
Advice
Make sure you're getting what you need during your internship- especially when you're working somewhere away from home. Make connections with those around you so you can get the most of your experience, like trips around the area on your days off, or grocery runs!
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Youth Conservation Crew Leader
May - July 2019 • Ajo, AZ
What I liked
Being able to experience a different part of the US, gaining leadership skills, having a great support system
What I wish was different
I wish the crew had wanted to enjoy the work we did
Advice
Travel for jobs if you can!
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National Conservation Corps member
March - August 2018 • Indian, AK
What I liked
Working in the backcountry of Alaska all summer
What I wish was different
I wish I had more freedom to do things outside of my job and explore more
Advice
Alaska is beautiful but when joining a conservation corp be aware of what you're getting into
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Education Intern
June - August 2018 • Washington, DC
What I liked
I loved the location: the city was vibrant and exciting. The people I worked with were also very motivated and dedicated individuals, which made the experience much more enriching. Overall the SCA was a fantastic experience that I would recommend to everyone interested in conservation and biology.
What I wish was different
I wish it would have been a little longer, and that the experience would have provided more learning opportunities outside experiential learning.
Advice
Definitely apply early to SCA applications, and always follow up to your application - employers really appreciate it regardless of outcome. Also, do not worry where you are place, wherever you are you will be doing tremendous and valuable work!
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Interpretive Park Ranger
May - August 2018 • Arco, ID
What I liked
I enjoyed working with park visitors and teaching them about the fascinating history and ecology of the monument.
What I wish was different
Not much. I broke my arm in June, but that was obviously an unusual accident, and while I wish I could change that, it's pretty clear there isn't much I or anyone else could do one way or another.
Advice
Probably bring lots of books, sunscreen, and hand lotion. The housing lacked both WiFi and cell service, so there wasn't a whole lot to do after hours (although we were allowed in the visitors' center after hours to use the private WiFi as desired). Plus, it was located in a desert, which I really hadn't thought about too much before I'd arrived there.
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Biological fellow
May - August 2018 • Orland, ME
What I liked
I learned a lot, especially about how government handles conservation.
What I wish was different
I wish the duration would’ve been longer so that I could learn even more.
Advice
Be willing to take internship and work opportunities that are far from home, they make you grow a lot!
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Botany Intern
June - September 2018 • Thorne Bay, AK
What I liked
I liked working in the field, hiking around and collecting data. I enjoyed learning about the career opportunities in the Forest Service for environmental science.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have worked more with the experts on wildlife and botany on the island.
Advice
To be consciously curious about your project and surrounding projects.
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Invasive Plant Management Intern
June - August 2018 • Astoria, OR
What I liked
I loved this internship experience. It completely changed what I want to do with my future and gave me valuable experience using GPS, GIS, and many different plant removal tools. I also got to work closely with other sectors of the natural resource division of the national park, so I got to learn how to perform wetland restoration monitoring transects, forest unit monitoring, elk surveys, and trail maintenance.
What I wish was different
I do not think I would change anything except maybe make the park-provided housing closer to the downtown Astoria area.
Advice
I highly recommend doing an internship with the Student Conservation Association. You will gain valuable experience and exposure to many different career paths.
